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As an important means of modern science and technology, multiphoton fluorescence plays an essential role in high-resolution imaging, photochemistry, micro- and nano-processing and clinical diagnosis. Multiphoton fluorescence usually shares the same radiative channel as its intrinsic fluorescence. Under multiphoton excitation, except for red shift fluorescence caused by the reabsorption effect, gigantic blue shift of multiphoton fluorescence is rarely reported. In this work, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with 7-fold and 8-fold interpenetration are successfully synthesized. The synthesized 8-fold interpenetrated MOFs show unexpectedly giant blue-shifted (∼40 nm) two-photon–induced fluorescence compared with its fluorescence emission. Specific optical selection rules lead to different final transition states in one-photon absorption and two-photon absorption. The density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) simulations show that, under two-photon excitation, electrons and holes can be more delocalized, and intermolecular interactions mainly govern the emission process of 8-fold interpenetrated MOFs. Highly excited electronic states of the interpenetrated MOFs are effectively excited and emitted under two-photon excitation, thus generating the inevitable blue-shifted two-photon–induced fluorescence emission. Our work provides a guide for exploring the excitation mechanism of fluorescent MOFs and offers an access to a tunable all-optical single-crystal device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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To capture genuine utilitarian tendencies, (Kahane et al., Psychological Review 125:131, 2018) developed the Oxford Utilitarianism Scale (OUS) based on two subscales, which measure the commitment to impartial beneficence and the willingness to cause harm for the greater good. In this article, I argue that the impartial beneficence subscale, which breaks ground with previous research on utilitarian moral psychology, does not distinctively measure utilitarian moral judgment. I argue that Kantian ethics captures the all-encompassing impartial concern for the well-being of all human beings. The Oxford Utilitarianism Scale draws, in fact, a point of division that places Kantian and utilitarian theories on the same track. I suggest that the impartial beneficence subscale needs to be significantly revised in order to capture distinctively utilitarian judgments. Additionally, I propose that psychological research should focus on exploring multiple sources of the phenomenon of impartial beneficence without categorizing it as exclusively utilitarian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trihelix transcription factors are involved in the growth and development of plants, as well as various stress responses. In the study presented, we identified 37 trihelix family genes in the apple genome (MdTH). The trihelix genes were located on 13 chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis of these MdTH and the trihelix genes of other species divided them into six subfamilies: GT-1, GT-2, SH4, SIP1, GTγ, and GTδ. The genes of different groups significantly diverged in their gene structure and conserved functional domains. Cis-element analysis showed that promoter sequences of MdTH genes contained light response elements, phytohormone response elements, and stress-related cis-elements. The expression pattern analysis results demonstrated that MdTH were regulated by drought, salinity, as well as high and low temperatures. MdTH4 and MdTH24 were highly regulated by soil salinity, MdTH4—by drought. MdTH30 showed high expression under low temperature; MdTH8, MdTH20, and MdTH36—under high temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Doping impurity ions, such as lanthanide (Ln3+) ions, can introduce unique emissions over the visible and near infrared (NIR) region and enrich the optoelectronic properties for lead‐free perovskites. Here, tetragonal Cs3InCl6:Sb nanocrystals (NCs) with bright self‐trapped excitons (STEs) emission have been synthesized. Interestingly, tetragonal Cs3InCl6:1%Sb can transform into monoclinic Cs3InCl6:1%Sb and orthorhombic Cs2InCl5·H2O:1%Sb under different solvent triggers. Further, a series of Ln3+ ions are doped into Cs3InCl6:Sb NCs, along with the appearance of Ln3+ ions emissions over the visible and NIR region. Benefiting from the different photoluminescence (PL) origins of the STEs and Eu3+ emissions, Cs3InCl6:Sb,Eu NCs enable varied color delivery and exhibit great potential as anti‐counterfeiting materials. Meantime, Cs3InCl6:Sb,Nd NCs with strong NIR emissions demonstrate great potential for NIR light‐emitting diode (LED) applications. This work not only presents an effective strategy to tune the optoelectronic properties of lead‐free perovskites, but also provides insight into applications in the anticounterfeiting and LED fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The search for novel lead-free materials with potential optoelectronic applications is a main research topic nowadays for an environment-friendly energy transition. Based on promising all-inorganic CsPbBr3 perovskite, we tested here the substitution of toxic Pb2+ with Cu2+ and explored the understudied CsCuBr3 halide. We present a mechanically-synthesized CsCuBr3 specimen obtained by ball milling, consisting of a well-crystallized and pure sample. Calorimetric measurements revealed a thermal event suggesting a structural phase transition around 422 K, immediately below the decomposition of the sample due to Br loss. A detailed structural analysis was carried out using neutron powder diffraction data from 20 to 420 K, focusing on the evolution of the orthorhombic phase (space-group: C2221) up to 400 K; this crystal arrangement consists of dimer units of face-sharing [CuBr6] octahedra containing Cu–Cu dimers with conspicuously short distances that account for the magnetic coupling between Cu2+ spins described before. Additionally, at 420 K, we identified a novel high-temperature phase as described in the hexagonal P6522 space group, where infinite chains of [CuBr4] square-planar units were observed. An additional study considering the Debye model was carried out, providing information on the relative Cs–Br and Cu–Br chemical bonds. From diffuse reflectance UV-Vis measurements, an optical gap of ∼1.8 eV was estimated for the orthorhombic phase at room temperature. Magnetic measurements indicate that the effective magnetization behavior versus temperature appears close to linear and seems to extrapolate to zero (smaller than 10−5 μB/Cu atom) at temperatures above 420 K, coinciding with onset of phase transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate that semi-rigid macrocyclic compounds, tetra(naphthimidazole)resorcin[4]arenes, consisting of four naphthimidazole-resorcinol units, exhibit large bathochromic shifts of emission upon embedding in the polymeric matrix. The mechanism of generation of the large Stokes shift involves inter-unit proton transfer that leads to charge-separated emissive species. This process requires proximity of the units and intramolecular stabilization of the charge-separated tautomers and therefore is unique for the macrocyclic geometry. The mechanism of tautomerization was verified experimentally and supported by theoretical calculations of the absorption and emission properties obtained at the CC2/aug-cc-pVDZ theory level which proved that intramolecular inter-unit proton transfer leads to the formation of emissive cationic and anionic groups within the macrocycle. The process is observed in the solution, but it is considerably enhanced by a constrictive environment, allowing the synthesis of luminophore-doped PMMA materials having features that are prerequisites for applications as luminescent solar concentrators – they absorb in the UV-A region and emit in the visible range resulting in visibly transparent fluorescent polymeric materials exhibiting large Stokes shifts (∼180 nm) with minimized re-absorption losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All-inorganic lead halide perovskite (LHP) nanomaterials have been recognized as a competitive candidate for optoelectronic applications. However, the lead toxicity and intrinsic instability have limited their commercialization. Herein, a facile room-temperature approach is developed for the synthesis of an environmentally friendly all-inorganic orange-red-emitting Ag-doped and Mn-doped lead-free halide double perovskite Cs2NaBiCl6 (CNBC) in the shape of an octahedron. Only very weak orange-red photoluminescence (PL) is observed in the undoped CNBC octahedrons. However, both Ag and Mn doping heavily enhance the PL intensity of the CNBC samples. The stability of the representative Ag-doped and Mn-doped CNBC is studied under various conditions such as an ambient environment, high temperatures up to 400 °C, and UV irradiation. The alcohol-based photocatalytic performances of the samples are investigated by degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB), methyl orange (MO) and methylene blue (MB) in ethanol, demonstrating a strong and stable photodegradation activity. This work will offer a facile and cost-effective protocol in doped lead-free double perovskites as a stable and environmentally friendly alternative for environmental photocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the first time, hafnia (HfO2) nanoparticles have been produced by photochemical synthesis. The photochemical route has been proven to be scalable, affordable, and straightforward to create monoclinic HfO2 nanoparticles with a size of tens of nanometers. The exploitation of this route offers a chance to create large amounts of dense nanoparticles with reduced costs and time of production for future creation of large area composite scintillators for fast timing techniques. Specific annealing treatments from 450 °C to 1000 °C have been targeted to tune the structural and morphological properties and optimize the luminescence of the nanoparticles. Hafnia nanoparticles annealed at low temperature display an amorphous structure. After thermal treatment at 1000 °C, HfO2 nanoparticles crystallize into a monoclinic phase, as evidenced by thermal analyses and X-ray diffraction. Radioluminescence and photoluminescence of HfO2 have been investigated at room temperature and 77 K. The emission band of hafnia covers a range from 300 to 600 nm and it can be attributed to defects within the matrix. In particular, the highest radioluminescence intensity appears in the crystalline sample annealed at 1000 °C, thanks to the higher crystallinity degree and the reduction of non-radiative channels and quenching defects. Photoluminescence and scintillation decay have evidenced the presence of the fast decay in the nanosecond time range. Thus, due to their size, density, and spectroscopic and timing features, monoclinic hafnia nanoparticles obtained by photochemical synthesis are attractive for potential creation of large area scintillating composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quasi-two-dimensional perovskites have emerged as a new class of high-performance materials for photoluminescence applications owing to their unique quantum-well structure. Both Dion–Jacobson (DJ) and Ruddlesden–Popper (RP) phase perovskites are attracting considerable attention owing to their obvious improvement in light-emitting diodes, solar cells, and photocatalytic devices. Meanwhile, quasi-two-dimensional perovskites have also shown outstanding performance in laser applications. Because the long-chain organic spacer cations between the lead halide perovskite layers tend to influence the dimensionality, phase distribution, and morphology of quasi-2D perovskite films, it is important to have a comprehensive understanding of the population inversion in quasi-2D perovskites. Herein, we prepared quasi-2D perovskite films with different Dion–Jacobson ratios and compared their morphology, optical characterization, and amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) performance. The results showed that the perovskite films with RP/DJ-mixed quasi-2D materials not only retained the excellent optical properties of the quasi-2D materials but also presented an improved crystallization quality and surface morphology. The ASE threshold of the hybrid perovskite film decreased from 52.2 to 30.1 μJ cm−2, while the gain coefficient was enhanced from 379 to 785 cm−1. Our work demonstrates that RP/DJ quasi-2D perovskite films can be a kind of promising waveguide material for ASE. Normally, DJ perovskite materials show good carrier transport, which is beneficial to the realization of electric pumping lasers based on perovskite materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

N6-methylated adenine (m6A) is an emerging epigenetic marker in eukaryotic organisms that plays an important role in biological functions and in enriching genetic information.m6A exerts these functions via the dynamic interplay among m6A writers, erasers, and readers. However, little is known about the underlying mechanisms of m6A in plant growth and stress responses. Here, we identified 276 masked m6A regulators from nine Rosaceae species (Pyrus bretschneideri, Pyrus betulifolia, Pyrus communis, Malus domestica, Fragaria vesca, Prunus avium, Prunus mume, Prunus persica, and Rubus occidentalis). We classified and named these genes in more detail based on phylogenetic and synteny analysis. The expansion ofm6A regulators in Maloideae was dated back to the recent whole-genome duplication (WGD) in Rosaceae. Based on the expression pattern analysis and gene structure analysis of m6A regulators, m6A was shown to be a significant factor in regulating plant development and resistance. In addition, PbrMTA1-silenced pear plants displayed significantly reduced drought tolerance and chlorophyll content, as well as increased electrolyte leakage and concentrations of malondialdehyde and H2O2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The auxin receptor (TIR1/AFBs) family encodes the F-box protein subunit, which is involved in the formation of the E3 ubiquitin ligase SCFTIR1/AFBs complex, a key component of the auxin signaling pathway. However, there are few studies on the auxin receptor family in apple (Malus × domestica). In this study, eight MdAFBs were identified, and phylogenetic analysis showed that they were classified into four groups and distributed on eight chromosomes. Herein, a comprehensive analysis of the MdAFB gene family was conducted to identify cis-acting elements, gene structures, protein structures, aligned sequences, conserved motifs, conserved amino acids, and the proteineprotein interaction network. The results of yeast two-hybrid assays showed that MdAFB1 interacted with three auxin repressor proteins. The results of qRT-PCR showed that MdAFB1 responded to osmotic and salt stress. The overexpression of MdAFB1 increased osmotic and salt resistance in apple calli, and the ectopic expression of MdAFB1 enhanced osmotic and salt tolerance in Arabidopsis. This study provided a basis for the identification of auxin receptor genes in apple and their functions in mediating osmotic and salt stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

True random numbers are crucial in many applications ranging from stochastic simulations to many other applications, especially cryptography. The quest for true randomness is, in general, considered to be impossible with only classical means. This insight enables the construction of various proposals for producing a good random number generator in realistic quantum scenarios. We presented a new fast 24 qubits quantum true random number generator (QTRNG) based on rotation and phase quantum gates on IBM’s cloud platform. It is a provable true random number since it is based on the quantum process and experimented with through QISKIT. The raw output of the generator reveals the foundational unpredictability of quantum mechanics inherent nature, which is different from classical physics. The achievable eminence of the numbers generated from a practical carrying out can differ from the theoretically promising solution. The proposed Quantum True Random Number Generation is accomplished through IBM quantum lab, and its architecture results also passed National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) statistical tests 800-90B and 800-22. This method is relatively efficient since it can be implemented locally on our devices. The offered methodology 224 bitstream data has higher certification randomness. The quality of the generated random bitstreams is investigated through restart analysis and autocorrelation analysis. The resulting output passes the NIST standard statistical test with a min-entropy value of 0.000712. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an incurable neurodegenerative disease affecting the upper and lower motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness, motor impairments, disabilities and death. Approximately 5–10% of ALS cases are associated with positive family history (familial ALS or fALS), whilst the remainder are sporadic (sporadic ALS, sALS). At least 50 genes have been identified as causative or risk factors for ALS. Established pathogenic variants include superoxide dismutase type 1 (SOD1), chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (c9orf72), TAR DNA Binding Protein (TARDBP), and Fused In Sarcoma (FUS); additional ALS-related genes including Charged Multivesicular Body Protein 2B (CHMP2B), Senataxin (SETX), Sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1), TANK Binding Kinase 1 (TBK1) and NIMA Related Kinase 1 (NEK1), have been identified. Mutations in these genes could impair different mechanisms, including vesicle transport, autophagy, and cytoskeletal or mitochondrial functions. So far, there is no effective therapy against ALS. Thus, early diagnosis and disease risk predictions remain one of the best options against ALS symptomologies. Proteomic biomarkers, microRNAs, and extracellular vehicles (EVs) serve as promising tools for disease diagnosis or progression assessment. These markers are relatively easy to obtain from blood or cerebrospinal fluids and can be used to identify potential genetic causative and risk factors even in the preclinical stage before symptoms appear. In addition, antisense oligonucleotides and RNA gene therapies have successfully been employed against other diseases, such as childhood-onset spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), which could also give hope to ALS patients. Therefore, an effective gene and biomarker panel should be generated for potentially "at risk" individuals to provide timely interventions and better treatment outcomes for ALS patients as soon as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a major complication of diabetes mellitus with a high incidence. Oxidative stress, which is a crucial pathophysiological pathway of DPN, has attracted much attention. The distortion in the redox balance due to the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the deregulation of antioxidant defense systems promotes oxidative damage in DPN. Therefore, we have focused on the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of DPN and elucidated its interaction with other physiological pathways, such as the glycolytic pathway, polyol pathway, advanced glycosylation end products, protein kinase C pathway, inflammation, and non-coding RNAs. These interactions provide novel therapeutic options targeting oxidative stress for DPN. Furthermore, our review addresses the latest therapeutic strategies targeting oxidative stress for the rehabilitation of DPN. Antioxidant supplements and exercise have been proposed as fundamental therapeutic strategies for diabetic patients through ROS-mediated mechanisms. In addition, several novel drug delivery systems can improve the bioavailability of antioxidants and the efficacy of DPN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Homogenous radioactive gas contamination constitutes the hardest challenge for radioprotection due to its elusive nature. Most common radioactive gas are 85Kr, 222Rn, and tritiated (3H) vapors. Each of them has different challenges, often leading to specialized single‐gas detectors. The state‐of‐the‐art detection either produces chemical‐radiological waste, is hard to implement online, or requires large volume. A new paradigm is presented for radioactive gas detection that can perform online detection on any gas and fit in the hand. This study use photoluminescent metal organic frameworks (MOFs) as both porous gas sponges and scintillators. The response of several zinc based MOF is studied, using a unique radioactive gas test bench. These tests showed that MOFs are able to both concentrate and detect successfully 85Kr. The investigation is completed with calibration with different activities. The study also reports detection of 222Rn, and measurement of its half‐life. Finally, the study is completed with the successful detection of tritiated dihydrogen, commonly known to be a hard radionuclide to detect due to its low energy and penetration range. This paper shows that scintillating MOFs are a powerful solid‐state approach and a practical solution to the challenge of radioactive gas measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-temperature neutron diffraction experiments at P = 8 GPa have been conducted to investigate the magnetic structures of metallic Holmium at high pressures by employing a long d-spacing high-flux diffractometer and a Paris-Edinburgh press cell inside a cryostat. We find that at P = 8 GPa and T = 5 K, no nuclear symmetry change is observed, keeping therefore the hexagonal closed packed (hcp) symmetry at high pressure. Our neutron diffraction data confirm that the ferromagnetic state does not exist. The magnetic structure corresponding to the helimagnetic order, which survives down to 5 K, is fully described by the magnetic superspace group formalism. These results are consistent with those previously published using magnetization experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, a non-invasive brain stimulation technique, can manage cerebellar ataxia (CA) by suppressing cerebral cortical excitability. Hence, this study aimed to summarize the efficacy and safety of rTMS for CA patients by meta-analysis. Methods: The PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for eligible studies published till 20 May 2023. Weighted mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the effect of rTMS treatment. Additionally, the quality of the included studies and the risk of bias were evaluated using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. Results: Overall, eight studies involving 278 CA patients were included in this meta-analysis. rTMS could significantly improve the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) (MD: -2.00; 95% CI: -3.97 to -0.02, p = 0.05), International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) (MD: -3.96; 95% CI: -5.51 to -2.40, p < 0.00001), Timed Up-and-Go test (TUG) (MD: -1.54; 95% CI: -2.24 to -0.84, p < 0.0001), 10-m walk test (10 MWT) (MD10-m steps: -2.44; 95% CI: -4.14 to -0.73, p = 0.005), and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) (MD: 2.59; 95% CI: 1.15-4.03, p = 0.0004) as compared to sham stimulation. Active rTMS was not significantly different from sham rTMS in changing the duration (MD10-m time: -1.29; 95% CI: -7.98 to 5.41, p = 0.71). No severe adverse events were observed in both sham stimulation and active rTMS groups. Conclusion: This meta-analysis provides limited evidence that rTMS may be beneficial in treating CA patients. However, these findings should be treated with caution due to the limitations of the smaller sample size and the inconsistent approach and target of rTMS treatment. Therefore, more large-scale RCTs are required to further validate our analytical findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green light conversion materials with small particle sizes and high luminous quality are essential for high-resolution display technology, such as Mini-LEDs and Micro-LEDs. Here, we demonstrate an effective strategy to prepare a sub-micrometer green phosphor via doping Mn2+ in a small-sized organic–inorganic hybrid Zn(II) bromide (C8H20N)2ZnBr4. Among a series of prepared (C8H20N)2Zn1−xMnxBr4 (x = 0–1.0), (C8H20N)2Zn0.7Mn0.3Br4 showed a particle size of around 700 nm, an emission peak centered at 517 nm with a full width at half maximum of 47 nm, a photoluminescence quantum yield of about 80%, and a stabilized photoluminescence intensity with a slight increase under continuous UV-light illumination over a 30 day test range. A [MnBr4]2− tetrahedron was effectively split by a massive tetraethylammonium cation (C8H20N)+ and [ZnBr4]2− tetrahedron unit in the zero-dimension structure, which was considered responsible for reducing the electron–phonon coupling of Mn2+, accelerating the leap process of [MnBr4]2−, and enhancing the optical and thermal stability of emitting centers. These results indicated that (C8H20N)2Zn0.7Mn0.3Br4 is a valuable candidate for Mini-LEDs and Micro-LEDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The remediation of environmental issues and solving energy crises are long-term challenges given the increasing world population and limited, unsustainable resources. Among the various possibilities, solar energy represents a clean, sustainable, and renewable technique for providing humans with power. Inspired by photoactive reactions in nature, such as photocatalysis in self-sustaining ecosystems, artificial photocatalysts based on metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are broadly designed for hydrogen evolution from water, value-added chemicals from carbon dioxide, nitrogen fixation, energy-saving organic transformations, and photodegradation/photocatalytic removal of pollutants in the air (e.g., aldehydes and aromatics) and pollutants in waste water (e.g., dyes, antibiotics, pesticides, herbicides, phenols, formaldehyde, and hexavalent chromium). Photovoltaic cells based on MOFs including perovskite solar cells (PSCs), organic solar cells (OSCs), dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), MOF-sensitized solar cells (MSSCs), and quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) have been rapidly developing over the past few years. This review article covers recent progress in the aforementioned topics and discusses future directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An imbalance of oxy-inflammation status has been involved in axonal damage and demyelination in multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of an antioxidant treatment (calcium disodium ethylenediaminetetracetic acid—EDTA) chelation therapy associated with a micronutrient complex in MS patients. A total of 20 MS patients and 20 healthy subjects, enrolled as a control group (CTR), were recruited. We measured the plasma ROS production and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) by a direct assessment using Electron Paramagnetic Resonance; activities of the antioxidant system (thiols' redox status and enzymes); and the urinary presence of biomarkers of oxidative stress by immunoenzymatic assays. We also evaluated the levels of inflammation by plasmatic cytokines (TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-6) and assessed the sICAM levels, as well as the nitric oxide (NO) catabolism and transthyretin (TTR) concentration. Comparing CTR and MS, in the latter ROS production, oxidative damage, inflammatory biomarkers, and NO metabolite concentrations results were significantly higher, while TAC was significantly lower. Treatment in MS induced significant (p < 0.05) down-regulating of pro-inflammatory sICAM1, TNF-α, IL6, as well as biomarkers of lipid peroxidation and DNA damage production. The protective effect exhibited may occur by decreasing ROS production and increasing antioxidant capacity, turning into a more reduced thiols' status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the effect of ultrasound (US) fusion imaging on the clinical diagnostic and therapeutic strategies of focal liver lesions, which are difficult to detect or diagnose by conventional US. Methods: From November 2019 to June 2022, 71 patients with invisible or undiagnosed focal liver lesions who underwent fusion imaging combining US with CT or MR were included in this retrospective study. The reasons for US fusion imaging were as follows: (1) lesions that were undetectable or inconspicuous on B‐mode US; (2) post‐ablation lesions that could not be assessed accurately by B‐mode US; (3) to evaluate whether the lesions detected by B‐mode US that were consistent with those presented on MRI/CT images. Results: Of the 71 cases, 43 cases were single lesions, and 28 cases were multiple lesions. Among the 46 cases which were invisible on conventional US, the display rate of lesions using US‐CT/MRI fusion imaging was 30.8%, and that combined with CEUS was 76.9%. US‐guided biopsy was performed in 30 patients after the detection and localization determined by fusion imaging, with a positive rate of 73.3%. Six patients with recurrence after ablation therapy were all detected and located accurately after fusion imaging, and 4 of them successfully underwent ablation therapy again. Conclusion: Fusion imaging contributes to the understanding of the anatomical relationship between lesion location and blood vessels. Additionally, fusion imaging can improve the diagnostic confidence, be helpful to guide interventional operations, and hence be conducive to clinical therapeutic strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a severe and incurable neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive death of motor neurons, leading to paralysis and death. It is a rare disease characterized by high patient-to-patient heterogeneity, which makes its study arduous and complex. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as important players in the development of ALS. Thus, ALS phenotype-expressing cells can spread their abnormal bioactive cargo through the secretion of EVs, even in distant tissues. Importantly, owing to their nature and composition, EVs' formation and cargo can be exploited for better comprehension of this elusive disease and identification of novel biomarkers, as well as for potential therapeutic applications, such as those based on stem cell-derived exosomes. This review highlights recent advances in the identification of the role of EVs in ALS etiopathology and how EVs can be promising new therapeutic strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the performance and design considerations of the planar structure of germanium on silicon avalanche photodiodes are presented. The dependences of the breakdown voltage, gain, bandwidth, responsivity, and quantum efficiency on the reverse bias voltage for different doping concentrations and thicknesses of the absorption and multiplication layers of germanium on the silicon avalanche photodiode were simulated and analyzed. The study revealed that the gain of the avalanche photodiode is directly proportional to the thickness of the multiplication layer. However, a thicker multiplication layer was also associated with a higher breakdown voltage. The bandwidth of the device, on the other hand, was inversely proportional to the product of the absorption layer thickness and the carrier transit time. A thinner absorption layer offers a higher bandwidth, but it may compromise responsivity and quantum efficiency. In this study, the dependence of the photodetectors' operating characteristics on the doping concentration used for the multiplication and absorption layers is revealed for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Biochemical biomarkers to determine the injury severity and the potential for functional recovery of traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) are highly warranted; however, it remains to be clarified whether cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or peripheral blood (PB) is the ideal sample media. This study aims to measure and compare biomarker concentrations in CSF and PB and to explore associations between biomarker concentrations and injury severity, i.e., American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS) grade, and biomarker concentrations and clinical outcome, i.e., AIS grade improvement and Spinal Cord Independent Measure version III (SCIM-III) score. Methods: From 2018 to 2020, we conducted a single-center prospective pilot study of TSCI patients (n=15) and healthy controls (n=15). Sample collection and clinical outcome assessment were performed at median 13 h [IQR: 19], 9 days [IQR: 2], and 148 days [IQR: 49] after TSCI. Concentrations of neuron-specific enolase (NSE); glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP); neurofilament light chain (NfL); interferon-γ (IFN-γ); interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, and IL-13; and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were measured and associated to clinical outcomes. Results: The biomarker concentrations were higher in CSF than PB. CSF concentrations of GFAP, NSE, IFN-y, TNF-a, IL-2, IL-12p70, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13 and PB concentrations of GFAP and IFN-y were significantly associated with AIS grade, but not with AIS grade improvement or SCIM-III score. Conclusions: Our results support GFAP as a potential diagnostic biomarker that may be measured in CSF as well as PB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Buccal fat pad (BFP) is used for the closure of large oroantral defects caused by surgical removal of the necrotic bone in patients with medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). This study aimed to evaluate the use of BFP for the closure of maxillary sinus defects in stage 3 MRONJ patients. Methods: This study recruited 61patients with large oroantral defects caused by MRONJ, including 49 patients with cancer and 12 patients with osteoporosis. Lesions were evaluated clinically and radiographically. Results: Among the 61 patients, 51 (83.6%) healed uneventfully, and 5 patients (8.2%) had local dehiscence and exposed bone; these 56 patients (91.8%) all healed after first or second operation. The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status was associated with being non-cured and might be an indicator for the healing process. All patients experienced a significant increase in body weight postoperatively. Conclusions: This study suggest that block resection with removal of the necrotic bone combined with radical sinusotomy and closure of the defect with BFP is a reliable method to cure MRONJ lesions with a high success rate, and successful operation and prosthetic rehabilitation may improve body weight and the quality of life. The study was approved by the appropriate ethical approval for the Copenhagen ONJ Cohort (protocol no. H-6–2013-010) November 20, 2013. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In degenerative neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, a convergence of widely varying insults results in a loss of dopaminergic neurons and, thus, the motor symptoms of the disease. Dopamine replacement therapy with agents such as levodopa is a mainstay of therapy. Cerebellar ataxias, a heterogeneous group of currently untreatable conditions, have not been identified to have a shared physiology that is a target of therapy. In this review, we propose that perturbations in cerebellar Purkinje neuron intrinsic membrane excitability, a result of ion channel dysregulation, is a common pathophysiologic mechanism that drives motor impairment and vulnerability to degeneration in cerebellar ataxias of widely differing genetic etiologies. We further propose that treatments aimed at restoring Purkinje neuron intrinsic membrane excitability have the potential to be a shared therapy in cerebellar ataxia akin to levodopa for Parkinson's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In psychological research, conspiracy theories are often defined as explanations of events involving the hidden action of a malevolent group. Such a definition raises a false negative problem, as it does not capture conspiracy theories that are not about events. It also raises a false positive problem because it categorises any conspiracy-based explanation as a conspiracy theory, even though distinguishing conspiracy theories from other conspiracy claims is at the core of many attempts to define this notion. Based on more elaborated definitions and a conceptual reengineering approach, we propose that conspiracy theories can be defined as claims that the public is being pervasively lied to regarding some aspect(s) of reality, to allow some group(s) to enact a harmful, self-serving agenda. Compared to other definitions, ours has the advantage of not taking a position regarding the truth value of conspiracy theories, making it highly operative for psychological research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are a wide range of applications with ionizing radiation and a common theme throughout these is that accurate dosimetry is usually required, although many newer demands are provided by improved features in higher range, multi-spectral and particle type detected. Today, the array of dosimeters includes both offline and online tools, such as gel dosimeters, thermoluminescence (TL), scintillators, optically stimulated luminescence (OSL), radiochromic polymeric films, gels, ionization chambers, colorimetry, and electron spin resonance (ESR) measurement systems. Several future nanocomposite features and interpretation of their substantial behaviors are discussed that can lead to improvements in specific features, such as (1) lower sensitivity range, (2) less saturation at high range, (3) overall increased dynamic range, (4) superior linearity, (5) linear energy transfer and energy independence, (6) lower cost, (7) higher ease of use, and (8) improved tissue equivalence. Nanophase versions of TL and ESR dosimeters and scintillators each have potential for higher range of linearity, sometimes due to superior charge transfer to the trapping center. Both OSL and ESR detection of nanomaterials can have increased dose sensitivity because of their higher readout sensitivity with nanoscale sensing. New nanocrystalline scintillators, such as perovskite, have fundamentally important advantages in sensitivity and purposeful design for key new applications. Nanoparticle plasmon coupled sensors doped within a lower Zeff material have been an effective way to achieve enhanced sensitivity of many dosimetry systems while still achieving tissue equivalency. These nanomaterial processing techniques and unique combinations of them are key steps that lead to the advanced features. Each must be realized through industrial production and quality control with packaging into dosimetry systems that maximize stability and reproducibility. Ultimately, recommendations for future work in this field of radiation dosimetry were summarized throughout the review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing interest in the subject of moral judgment in driver and autonomous vehicle behavior highlights the importance of investigating the suitability of sacrificial dilemmas as experimental tools in the context of traffic psychology. To this aim a set of validated sacrificial trolley problems and a new set of trolley-like driving dilemmas were compared through an online survey experiment, providing normative values for rates of participants' choices; decision times; evaluation of emotional valence and arousal experienced during the decision process; and ratings of the moral acceptability. Results showed that while both sets of dilemmas led to a more frequent selection of utilitarian outcomes, the driving-type dilemmas seemed to enhance faster decisions mainly based on the utilitarian moral code. No further differences were observed between the two sets, confirming the reliability of the moral dilemma tool in the investigation of moral driving behaviors. We suggest that as moral judgments and behaviors become more lifelike, the individual's moral inclination emerge more automatically and effectively. This new driving-type dilemma set may help researchers who work in traffic psychology and moral decision-making to approach the complex task of developing realistic moral scenarios more easily in the context of autonomous and nonautonomous transportation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multifunctional materials, which exhibit diverse physical properties, are candidates for the new generation of smart devices that realize many tasks simultaneously. Particular attention is given to single-phase multifunctional materials that offer the new physical effects induced by the coupling between introduced properties. Complexes of lanthanide(3+) ions are an attractive source of multifunctionality since they combine luminescent functionalities related to their f–f or d–f electronic transitions with magnetic anisotropy that originates from spin–orbit coupling and crystal-field effects. The resulting luminescent single-molecule magnets (SMMs) link the area of functional luminophores, applicable in light-emitting diodes or sensing, with the field of molecular magnets, applicable for high-density data storage, and offer additional advantages, e.g., fruitful magneto-optical correlations and the switching of emission by a magnetic field. It was recently shown that luminescent lanthanide SMMs can provide multifunctionality that is richly expanded towards their sensitivity to solvent exchange, temperature, or light, as well as the generation of electrical properties, such as super-ionic conductivity and ferroelectricity, or non-centrosymmetricity- and chirality-related effects, e.g., second-harmonic generation and circularly polarized luminescence. Here, we discuss the pioneering reports on multifunctional materials that use luminescent lanthanide SMMs, with the emphasis of our contribution relying on the functionalization of 4f metal complexes through their insertion into heterometallic d–f coordination compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), which are chronic and progressive diseases, are a growing health concern. Among the therapeutic methods, stem-cell-based therapy is an attractive approach to NDD treatment owing to stem cells' characteristics such as their angiogenic ability, anti-inflammatory, paracrine, and anti-apoptotic effects, and homing ability to the damaged brain region. Human bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs) are attractive NDD therapeutic agents owing to their widespread availability, easy attainability and in vitro manipulation and the lack of ethical issues. Ex vivo hBM-MSC expansion before transplantation is essential because of the low cell numbers in bone marrow aspirates. However, hBM-MSC quality decreases over time after detachment from culture dishes, and the ability of hBM-MSCs to differentiate after detachment from culture dishes remains poorly understood. Conventional analysis of hBM-MSCs characteristics before transplantation into the brain has several limitations. However, omics analyses provide more comprehensive molecular profiling of multifactorial biological systems. Omics and machine learning approaches can handle big data and provide more detailed characterization of hBM-MSCs. Here, we provide a brief review on the application of hBM-MSCs in the treatment of NDDs and an overview of integrated omics analysis of the quality and differentiation ability of hBM-MSCs detached from culture dishes for successful stem cell therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic raised concerns about the potential for co-infection or over-infection with other respiratory infections, as they can complicate the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of the disease. This is also a challenge for forensic pathologists, who may come across cases where the presence of co-infection or over-infection is suspected or confirmed, and it is important that they take this into account when determining the cause of death. The aim of this systematic review is to analyse the prevalence of each specific pathogen co-infecting or over-infecting patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. In total, 575 studies were selected from the Scopus and Pub-Med online databases and 8 studies were included in a meta-analysis. Male gender, advanced age and nursing home care are risk factors associated with the development of co-infection, whereas age, tachypnoea, hypoxaemia and bacterial infection are predictors of mortality. Overall, however, having a SARS-CoV-2 infection does not represent a real risk for the development of co-infections/super-infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical findings suggest that transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) can modulate ascending sensitive, descending corticospinal, and segmental pathways in the spinal cord (SC). However, several aspects of the stimulation have not been completely understood, and realistic computational models based on MRI are the gold standard to predict the interaction between tsDCS-induced electric fields and anatomy. Here, we review the electric fields distribution in the SC during tsDCS as predicted by MRI-based realistic models, compare such knowledge with clinical findings, and define the role of computational knowledge in optimizing tsDCS protocols. tsDCS-induced electric fields are predicted to be safe and induce both transient and neuroplastic changes. This could support the possibility to explore new clinical applications, such as spinal cord injury. For the most applied protocol (2–3 mA for 20–30 min, active electrode over T10–T12 and the reference on the right shoulder), similar electric field intensities are generated in both ventral and dorsal horns of the SC at the same height. This was confirmed by human studies, in which both motor and sensitive effects were found. Lastly, electric fields are strongly dependent on anatomy and electrodes' placement. Regardless of the montage, inter-individual hotspots of higher values of electric fields were predicted, which could change when the subjects move from a position to another (e.g., from the supine to the lateral position). These characteristics underlines the need for individualized and patient-tailored MRI-based computational models to optimize the stimulation protocol. A detailed modeling approach of the electric field distribution might contribute to optimizing stimulation protocols, tailoring electrodes' configuration, intensities, and duration to the clinical outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solvothermal reactions between three bis-pyridine-bis-amide ligands containing a fluorene scaffold bearing different substituents on the C9 position (CH2, 1; CMe2, 2; C＝O, 3) with 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid (H2ndca) and Zn(NO3)2·6H2O led to the isolation of three new microporous mixed-ligand MOFs (PUM310, containing 1; PUM310Me2, containing 2; PUM310CO, containing 3). The structural characterization conducted with X-ray quality single crystals revealed parallel polycatenated frameworks of thick layers in all cases, corresponding to the topological type 5,6L18. The entangled nets contain complete and truncated Zn-paddle wheels. In the truncated paddle wheel, a pyridine of the bis-amide linker has been replaced by a DMF molecule. Solvent removal leads to framework rearrangement, as evidenced by XRPD analysis performed on desolvated PUM310, with consequent framework shrinkage as also evidenced by volumetric adsorption analyses. The three MOFs are fluorescent in the solid state. The optical spectra are indicative of a Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) involving ndca2− as an excitation energy donor and the bis-pyridine linkers as acceptors, with a FRET efficiency close to 100% in the case of PUM310CO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. Thermal ablations (TA) are gaining ground as alternative options to conventional therapies for symptomatic benign thyroid nodules. Little is known about the impact of nodule biology on the outcomes of TA. The aim of our study was to evaluate the baseline immunocytochemistry profile of thyroid nodules that were poorly responsive to TA in order to identify potential predictors of the treatment response. Methods. From a cohort of 406 patients with benign thyroid nodules treated with TA and followed for 5 years, we retrospectively selected two groups of patients: NONRESPONDERS (patients who did not respond to TA and were later surgically treated) and RESPONDERS (patients who responded to TA). The fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) slides obtained before TA were stained for Galectin-3, HBME-1, CK-19, and Ki-67. Results. Benign nodules of NONRESPONDERS (n = 19) did not express CK-19 (p = 0.03), as compared to RESPONDERS (n = 26). We combined the absence of CK-19 and the presence of Ki-67 to obtain a composite biomarker of resistance to TA, which discriminated between likelihood of retreatment and no retreatment with an AUC of 0.68 (95%CI: 0.55-0.81) and a sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of 29%, 91%, 71%, and 64%, respectively. Conclusion. In benign thyroid nodules, the absence of CK-19 was associated with resistance to TA, while the presence of CK-19 was predictive of response to TA. If confirmed, this finding could provide rapid and inexpensive information about the potential outcome of TA on benign thyroid nodules. In addition, as CK-19 can be expressed in adenomatous hyperplasia, it could be speculated that these nodules, rather than follicular adenomas, might be better candidates for TA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, Ag2O–Cs2O–CaO–Al2O3–P2O5 glasses with different Ag concentrations (0, 0.1, 0.3, 1.0, and 3.0 mol.%) were made by the melt-quenching method. The photoluminescence (PL) properties, the radio-photoluminescence (RPL) phenomenon, and the spatial resolution of X-ray imaging based on RPL were studied to aim for the X-ray imaging application. The RPL phenomenon was observed as an appearance of a new PL emission at around 620 nm after X-ray irradiation. According to the shape of the PL spectrum and lifetime (13.1–16.7 ns), the luminescence was confirmed to be due to Ag2+. In addition, the 3.0% Ag-doped sample had the highest emission intensity of Ag2+. From the X-ray imaging resolution test, the 3.0% Ag-doped sample showed a spatial resolution of at least 10.0 LP mm−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an integrated single-photon detection device custom designed for quantum key distribution (QKD) with time-bin encoded single photons. We implemented and demonstrated a prototype photon-to-digital converter (PDC) that integrates an 8 × 8 single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) array with on-chip digital signal processing built in TSMC 65 nm CMOS. The prototype SPADs are used to validate the QKD functionalities with an array of time-to-digital converters (TDCs) to timestamp and process the photon detection events. The PDC uses window gating to reject noise counts and on-chip processing to sort the photon detections into respective time-bins. The PDC prototype achieved a 22.7 ps RMS timing resolution and demonstrated operation in a time-bin setup with 158 ps time-bins at an optical wavelength of 410 nm. This PDC can therefore be an important building block for a QKD receiver and enables compact and robust time-bin QKD systems with imaging detectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Urgent Need for FDA to Approve a Whole-Body Application of Ultrasound Contrast Agents To request CT or MR scan is, costly, and time consuming for the patient as well as subjects the patient to considerable more risk from the contrast agent than would exposure to an US contrast agent. UCAs have a very good safety record[[1]] having fewer adverse reactions than contrast agents for computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). CEUS is an excellent alternative; especially in patients who cannot receive a CT or MR contrast agents due to poor renal function or prior allergic reaction and, in some cases, more sensitive and specific. [Extracted from the article]

The automobile industry's rapid growth enables developments in all branches of the sector. This also includes electronics, where the latest technological nodes are used today. New challenges to providing safety and reliability for such circuits are thus to be faced. One of these is the diagnostics of analog and mixed-signal circuits. Performing failure analysis has become very difficult indeed, due to the lack of auto-diagnosis methods. This paper describes a solution to improve the diagnosis of such circuits. We can insert elementary devices that return circuit states via light emission by utilizing the basic principles of light emission from silicon electronic components. These elementary devices are used to check every fundamental signal of the circuit, with significant benefits for diagnostics and failure analysis. All actions leading from concept to real silicon are explained. The reported results for a real silicon circuit and a failure analysis case demonstrate the effectiveness of this method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) is considered a biomarker for the severity of nervous system diseases. We sought to explore whether serum NSE concentration in ischemic stroke patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is related to 3-month functional outcome and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH). Patients and Methods: We retrospectively collected the data of acute ischemic stroke patients with anterior circulation infarction receiving MT within 6 h in our stroke center. Favorable outcome and poor outcome at 3 months were defined as modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score 0– 2 and 3– 6, respectively. sICH was defined according to the Heidelberg bleeding classification. We used multivariate logistic regression model and receiver operating characteristic curves to investigate the correlation between NSE and clinical outcomes. Results: Among the 426 patients enrolled, 40 (9.4%) patients developed sICH. Three-month favorable outcome in 160 (37.6%) and poor outcome in 266 (62.4%) patients were observed. Serum NSE levels was significantly correlated with 3-month mRS score (R = 0.473, P < 0.001). A cutoff value of 15.29 and 23.12 ng/mL for serum NSE was detected in discriminating 3-month poor outcome (area under the curve, 0.724) and sICH (area under the curve, 0.716), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that high serum NSE levels were independently associated with 3-month poor outcome (odds ratio [OR] 5.049, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.933– 8.689, P< 0.001) and sICH (OR 5.111, 95% CI 2.210– 11.820, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that high serum NSE levels after receiving MT were independently associated with 3-month poor outcome and sICH in acute ischemic stroke patients. Serum NSE levels could be a good predictor of clinical outcomes for patients receiving MT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For young women, the power imbalance in favor of males in dating relationships has been related to dating violence (DV) victimization. In addition, the use of rumination to cope with DV may increase their psychological distress. The purpose of the current study was to examine whether experiences of DV and rumination mediate the association between power imbalance and suicide risk (SR). The sample comprised 1,216 young women aged between 18 and 28 years from Colombia (n = 461) and Spain (n = 755), in a heterosexual dating relationship, not married or cohabiting with a partner and without children. The following scales were applied: The Sexual Relationship Power Scale-Modified, The Dating Violence Questionnaire–-R (DVQ-R); Cyberdating Abuse Questionnaire, Measure of Affect Regulation Scale (MARS), and The Spanish Suicide Risk Scale. A sequential mediation paths model was tested. Results indicated that power imbalance was associated with DV victimization. Furthermore, DV was associated with more rumination, which was also linked to a greater SR in both countries. Rumination may be a mechanism through which experiences of DV victimization negatively influence mental health in young women and is an important variable related cross-culturally to SR. The findings suggest an equality approach, addressing the power imbalance in dating relationships, empowering girls to prevent DV, and teaching coping strategies for dealing with victimization and its consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the effects of double-submerged breakwaters and trenches on the hydrodynamic performance of an oscillating water column (OWC) are investigated. The multi-domain boundary element method is used to tackle the physical problem of wave scattering and radiation from the device. The role of the height of the breakwaters, depth of the trenches, width of the breakwaters and trenches, spacing between the structures, length of the OWC chamber, and other wave and structural parameters is investigated on the efficiency of OWC. The study reveals that there is an oscillating pattern of the efficiency curve in the presence of single or double breakwater/trenches; this pattern is absent when the bottom is flat. Moreover, compared to single or no breakwaters/trenches, the occurrence of full OWC efficiency is higher in the presence of double breakwaters/trenches. Furthermore, the amplitude of the oscillating pattern in the efficiency curve increases with an increase in the height and depth of the breakwaters and trenches, respectively. For some particular wave and structural parameters, zero OWC efficiency occurs nearly k 0 h = 3.4 within 0 < k 0 h < 5 (k0 wave number and h water depth). This zero efficiency moves toward small wave numbers as the spacing between OWC and rigid breakwater/trench increases. The radiation conductance of OWC decreases with an increase in the barrier height. The findings outline the structural criteria that can be employed to build and deploy an effective OWC device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-lasting radioluminescence scintillators have recently attracted substantial attention from both research and industrial communities, primarily due to their distinctive capabilities of converting and storing X-ray energy. However, determination of energy-conversion kinetics in these nanocrystals remains unexplored. Here we present a strategy to probe and unveil energy-funneling kinetics in NaLuF 4 :Mn 2+ /Gd 3+ nanocrystal sublattices through Gd 3+ -driven microenvironment engineering and Mn 2+ -mediated radioluminescence profiling. Our photophysical studies reveal effective control of energy-funneling kinetics and demonstrate the tunability of electron trap depth ranging from 0.66 to 0.96 eV, with the corresponding trap density varying between 2.38×10 5 and 1.34×10 7  cm -3 . This enables controlled release of captured electrons over durations spanning from seconds to 30 days. It allows tailorable emission wavelength within the range of 520-580 nm and fine-tuning of thermally-stimulated temperature between 313-403 K. We further utilize these scintillators to fabricate high-density, large-area scintillation screens that exhibit a 6-fold improvement in X-ray sensitivity, 22 lp/mm high-resolution X-ray imaging, and a 30-day-long optical memory. This enables high-contrast imaging of injured mice through fast thermally-stimulated radioluminescence readout. These findings offer new insights into the correlation of radioluminescence dynamics with energy-funneling kinetics, thereby contributing to the advancement of high-energy nanophotonic applications., (© 2024 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

To investigate the biological effects of the ABA receptor pyrabactin resistance 1-like (PYR1-like) in Malus sieversii seeds, the proteins interacting with MsPYR1-like were screened by the membrane yeast two-hybrid library based on the split-ubiquitin system, and to construct the bait vector pBT3-SUC-PYR1 for Malus sieversii cDNA library, which had no self-activating effect on the yeast cells of the pPR3-N membrane yeast two-hybrid library. The library titer assay showed that it could meet the requirements for membrane yeast two-hybrid library screening. After sequencing, GenBank database blast, and yeast rotary validation, 28 candidate proteins interacting with MsPYR1-like were obtained, including ribosomal proteins, late embryogenesis abundant proteins, F-actin-capping proteins, phytochrome-interacting proteins, low-temperature-inducible 65 kDa protein-like, senescence-associated, PP2C and SnRK2 family members, and unknown proteins. Gene ontology analysis of the interaction proteins was related to plant hormone response and negative regulation of seed germination, overexpression of MsPYR1-like in Arabidopsis negatively regulates seed germination, and the study of the biological roles of MsPYR1-like interacting proteins lays the foundation for revealing the lifting of seed dormancy in Malus sieversii., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation to the pharyngeal motor cortex has shown beneficial effects on poststroke dysphagia. Previous studies, however, using intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) for dysphagia have targeted the suprahyoid motor cortex. This study aimed to investigate the effects of iTBS to the pharyngeal motor cortex in patients with poststroke dysphagia, using ultrasound and videofluoroscopic swallowing studies (VFSS). A randomized controlled trial was conducted on patients with dysphagia due to a first-time unilateral stroke. Patients who had signs and symptoms of dysphagia and showed aspiration or penetration on VFSS were included. Twenty-eight patients were randomly assigned to either real or sham iTBS groups, and each patient underwent five sessions of iTBS to the ipsilesional pharyngeal motor cortex. Each iTBS session was followed by conventional dysphagia treatment for 30 min. The hyoid-larynx approximation measured by ultrasound, penetration-aspiration scale (PAS) and functional dysphagia scale (FDS) assessed by VFSS were evaluated before and after completion of iTBS. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of demographic and clinical characteristics, including age and type of stroke. The hyoid-larynx approximation ratio increased in the real iTBS group and decreased in the sham iTBS group (median values of pre-post differences were 0.27 vs. -0.01, P  < 0.001). The PAS and FDS showed greater improvements in the real iTBS group than in the sham iTBS group (median values of pre-post differences of the PAS were -2.50 vs. 0.00, P  = 0.004; median values of pre-post differences of the FDS were -12.50 vs. -2.50, P  < 0.001). No adverse effects were reported during or after iTBS sessions. Five-session iTBS to the pharyngeal motor cortex combined with conventional treatment led to a significant improvement in poststroke dysphagia in terms of hyoid-larynx approximation which is related to the suprahyoid muscle. Considering the short duration of one iTBS session, this can be an efficient and effective treatment tool for patients with this condition., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

The detriments of intrinsic silanol groups in mesoporous silica to the photoluminescence (PL) of lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (LHP NCs) confined in the template have never been determined and clearly elucidated. Here, we disclose that silanol-induced Cs + and Br - deficiencies prompt the generation of traps and CsPb 2 Br 5 impurities. The temperature-dependent PL spectra verify the higher energetic barrier of trap states in CsPbBr 3 NCs confined in silanol-rich mesoporous silica. Femtosecond transient absorption spectra reveal the trapped state mediates a broadband photoinduced absorption and long-lived decay pathway of CsPbBr 3 NCs in silanol-rich templates. A remarkable improvement (up to 160-fold) in PL quantum yields is realized by simple silanol elimination. This work demonstrates the detrimental effects of silanol sites on the PL properties of LHP NCs impregnated in mesoporous silica and provides a new perspective for the ligand-free synthesis of high-quality LHP NCs in mesoporous templates by facile impregnation for practical applications., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Lanthanide-based lead-free perovskite materials hold great promise for the development of high-resolution full-color displays in the future. Here, various Cs 3 LnCl 6 perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) emitting light across the visible to near-infrared spectrum with remarkably high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) are systemically prepared. Especially, by introducing multifunctional coumarin small molecules into Cs 3 EuCl 6 NCs as an intermediate state, Cs 3 EuCl 6 NCs can achieve an impressive PLQY of 92.4% with pure red emission and an exceptional energy transfer efficiency of nearly 93.2%. Furthermore, the lanthanide-based electroluminescent devices in red, green, and blue are successfully fabricated. Among them, the Cs 3 EuCl 6 -NC-based red light-emitting diode (LED) demonstrates a FWHM of 18 nm at 617 nm, an external quantum efficiency up to 5.17%, and a maximum brightness of 2373 cd m -2 , which is the most excellent reported for lead-free narrowband (within 20 nm) emission devices. Notably, these devices exhibit an operating half-life of 440 h at a brightness level of 100 cd m -2 , surpassing the performance of most reported lead-free perovskite LEDs (PLEDs). This work opens up exciting possibilities for the future commercialization of lanthanide-based PLEDs in the display industry, paving the way for more vibrant, energy-efficient, and long-lasting display technologies., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)